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Astros to slip on dancing shoes for fundraiser

Astros to slip on dancing shoes for fundraiser

SEATTLE -- Tickets are still available for Sunday's Dancing with the 'Stros event at the House of Blues in downtown Houston, but they must be purchased in advance of the event.

Astros players Jose Altuve, Jarred Cosart, Dallas Keuchel, Jake Elmore and Trevor Crowe will trade in their cleats for dancing shoes in a team charity fundraising event. The five players will be paired with professional dancers to learn a routine in the dance style of their choosing after just one hour of rehearsal. The Astros players will be judged by their teammates.

The event will highlight the new strategic focus of the community partnership between Houston-based Minute Maid and The Astros Foundation to support an expansion of programming and outreach for at-risk youth by the official team charity's Urban Youth Academy in Houston. Details of the new partnership will be announced by Minute Maid president Mike Saint John at the event.

In addition to all of the 2013 Astros players, the team's owners, coaches, executives and alumni will be on hand, as well as Minute Maid executives and employees, Comcast SportsNet, generous sponsors, Astros fans and local charitable champions.

The doors open at 6 p.m., and the event will begin at approximately 7 p.m., subject to the end time of Sunday's 1:10 p.m. game.

Advanced ticket purchase is required because tickets will not be available at the event. Door prizes also will be given away during the reception prior to the show. Sponsorships and a limited number of individual tickets are available for purchase, and because this is a charitable fundraiser, a portion of the ticket cost is tax deductible. Ticket information is available at www.astros.com/dancing or by calling 713-259-8851 before Friday.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit The Astros Foundation's Urban Youth Academy. The nonprofit program provides free, year-round baseball and softball instruction, mentoring and leadership development for at-risk and low-income youth at the UYA facilities in the Acres Homes neighborhood of Houston and at clinics at neighborhood parks operated by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department throughout the city.